Libertarians, as Salon's Alex Pareene notes, have been trying to distance themselves from Ryan after he was picked by Mitt Romney as the GOP nominee for vice president. Libertarian get especially irked when the media outlets associate Ryan with libertarianism because he read Atlas Shrugged and made his congressional staff do so, too.

Johnson dismisses Ryan as more of a free market apostate than apostle. After all, the Wisconsin congressman supported No Child Left Behind, TARP for "too-big-to-fail" banks, bailouts for Chrysler and GM, housing subsidies, and unemployment-benefits extensions. Not to mention voting for both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and then voting against winding down both conflicts.

Should libertarians be bothered by Paul Ryan?

Reagan had it right: "If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism." But today many GOP members run from the philosophy of libertarianism, limited government and freedom. And then they wonder "where in the heck did the tea party come from?" The GOP lost in 2006 and 2008 because they did not follow their core values. The GOP won in 2010 because the democrats did follow their core values, not because of anything the GOP did. I hope they have learned their lesson...but probably not.

Democrats and Republicans are really one in the same. Elitist looking keep their lucrative jobs. Neither party is in it for the good of the country. So it really doesn't matter which faction assumes the big chair.

@FollowTheMoney while agree that neither is ideal, I believe that Romney will to much less damage than Obama would. You see even if Romney is only out for himself then the damage is minimal compared to Obama who wants to see America humbled until it is begging for scraps from the table of nations when it once sat at the head.

@ir0nw0lfe Oh, I understand completely. And I don't disagree. I'm just to the point that I'm tired of watching this old barn, called America, slowly crumble and fall, The carpenters keep taking all the good wood off the barn to build their own homes, thinking the barn can still be fixed if left as is. I think they're wrong. I think we all need to pitch in and build a new barn. and hire new carpenters.

Yep. I'm pretty much finished voting for the least of two evils. And I can't make a dinstinction this time around. They are both evil in different ways. It's like trying to decide if you would rather get run over by a semi or a bus. In the end it won't matter will it?

@ZappaCrappa Not much. We have are the foxes watching the Hen house. When what we need is a bunch of great big Roosters. Don't get me wrong , I'm not looking to throw the baby out with the bath water. But we might need to take him out of the tub.

Libertarians need to explain that Paul Ryan is opposed to the Libertarian platform and the Green Party needs to explain that Paul Ryan's fight against global cooling is wrong.Independent parties need to take votes away from the major parties to get the major parties to move in their direction.

Soooo the evidence that Paul Ryan is No Libertarian is that he supported several Conservative causes and several Liberal causes? In each of these supported causes.....was there even a freaking Libertarian alternative? No?!

"Johnson dismisses Ryan as more of a free market apostate than apostle. After all, the Wisconsin congressman supported No Child Left Behind, TARP for "too-big-to-fail" banks, bailouts for Chrysler and GM, housing subsidies, and unemployment-benefits extensions. Not to mention voting for both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and then voting against winding down both conflicts."

This should be damning to all the people who link Ryan Paul to Libertarianism as the word is used here in America. But does anyone think the self proclaimed "Libertarians" in America will even care or change their views or votes for their dear leaders? Who else are "Libertarians" going to vote for? It's painfully obvious that the Republican wing of the business party has these people by the balls.

"Libertarians" in America are advocating a corporate tyranny and they don't even realize it. They are a twisted breed of "thinkers" spawned from the bowels of nationalism and an ideology of corporate group think that is disguised as an individualistic point of view . When the Republican wing of the business party says, "get government off our back", they are actually saying to the corporate owners, "hop onto the back of the American people's government." These wanna be masters of humankind want socialism for them and capitalism for the American people, that's the way it's always been. "Libertarians" in America are so disillusioned by the insane behavior of their once beloved Republican wing of the business party that they will grab hold of the first dear leader (Ron Paul) that talks any kind of truth to them.

What say do the "Libertarians" have at a corporate board room? What say do the "Libertarians" have at their local City Commissioners meetings? Think about it, there is a big difference.

@Bobolinsky ---My friend there is no need to get sore. No need to be nasty....As I have said over and over again...I actually do know a great deal about paul the ripper and his politics...I have dozens of posts here, that I have used to spell out some of his obscene plans....Its like I have said, my erudite friend, I simply just don't agree with any of them....Ans as for "libertarians"...I actually toyed with the idea of joining the Libertarian Party here in Maryland, at one time......So I talked to other libertarians I know very well and learned quite a bit about their philosophy and principals....You see unlike a lot of people on the right, I actually do take the time to learn something about a new bill or law before I go out yelling and screaming about "repeal, repeal"...LOL...So, now do you wanna kick around some compromise ideas...or no?

@Bobolinsky ---Well I do indeed enjoy our exchange of ideas, my friend. Your quite attentive. We could set an example for the national parties to follow....God, I luv economics, don't you?..It was one of my most favorite subjects at the University of Maryland....But I'm afraid that I can not grant your request about paul the ripper...You see, its that ole' "free speech thing"---you know what I mean?? Always popping up in these kinds of open forums....

@Sonny-- That's fine. But the opposite side of the "free speech thing" is that I have the freedom of respond. And you don't get to decide how I respond. That's my right. I don;t take you seriously and I doubt you paid attention in any economics classes you DID take. What I know about you is that you have little concept of the entire supply side of the economy. It's all about "demand" with you. There are TWO fundamental laws of economics. They are the laws of Supply and demand. Together, they combine to form a corollary law calle the Law of Supply and Demand.

I also like to bring attention to the Laffer Curve since its a concept that is usually alien to class warrior types like you.

In fairness to Ryan, I don't think he's ever claimed to be a Libertarian. Also, few people who meet the purity test of the Libertarians are able to be successful legislators. I might not agree with Ryan on some issues, but I wouldn't condemn him for having the wisdom to sometimes make compromises in order to get things accomplished.

Libertarians shouldn't be bothered by Ryan, Bidden, Obama or Romney. Two of them will be in office in November.

The Libertarian party as well as the Tea party haven't gained enough popularity yet, to be a real threat to the ruling parties.

The function of the Libertarians is to create awareness by getting the word out to the people that there is an alternative to government. Also, to put pressure in the right direction on those in power. Not to let them go as they will unchecked.

@Blknred Freedom loving, natural or naturalized citizens who thank whichever god that they please for the opportunity to live in this nation and who wish to see it's greatness extended into the future so their kids, and their kids' kids might enjoy the freedoms laid out by the founders. :)